Goa, 30 May 2023

 

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant honored two exceptional artists with the prestigious Gomant Vibhushan Award during the grand celebration of Goa Statehood Day. The award ceremony, organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture in collaboration with the Department of Information and Publicity, took place at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. Shri Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar was recognized for his remarkable contributions to the field of Folk Art for the year 2019-20, while Pt. Prabhakar Janardan Karekar was honored for outstanding achievements in Indian Classical Music for the year 2021-22.

The event began with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurating a captivating photo exhibition that depicted the extraordinary lives and artistic journeys of Shri Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar and Pt. Prabhakar Janardan Karekar. Additionally, books shedding light on the remarkable achievements of the awardees were released, providing valuable insights into their inspiring careers. The audience was also treated to insightful documentaries that showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of both artists.

During his address, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant underscored the significance of nurturing the talents of the younger generation and fostering progress across all fields. He expressed, "Recognizing and celebrating the art and accomplishments of individuals is our objective in presenting the Gomant Vibhushan Award. Goa offers a wealth of educational and cultural opportunities, which every young person should seize to make our state proud. The government is committed to providing full support in developing our state, its culture, traditions, and individuals."

Shri Govind Gaude, the Minister for Art and Culture, emphasized the responsibility of preserving Goa's rich cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations. He described Goa as the cultural capital of India and emphasized the transformative power of music, stating, "Music has the ability to alleviate tensions and give meaning to life. Our youth should honor their gurus and repay them by achieving personal growth and success."

Expressing their gratitude, both awardees, Shri Vinayak Vishnu Khedekar and Pt. Prabhakar Janardan Karekar, shared their sentiments on receiving this prestigious recognition.

 

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PIB Panaji | S.Thakur/D.Rane

 

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